Gratitude for Love House
Katee
From my experience with the Love House and the Christmas' that I had because of them, I know how generous everybody is. The amount of time and thought that is spent each year to gather gifts, wrap them, and take them to each of those children and families is just so heartwarming to be a part of and to be on the receiving end as well. This year, Sam, Josh, Twila, Michelle, Jodi and Maureen, and everybody else behind the scenes pulled out all the stops. They always put 110% of themselves into everything they do for these children. I wish I could be there to see the faces of each child and family who thought they either wouldn't have a Christmas or be able to provide Christmas for their children. I just wanted to say that every one of those kids is loved and they are NEVER alone. They will ALWAYS have the support of the Love House behind them. I know that personally because I was helped for years and this year with being able to get gifts for my daughter when I didn't think I was going to be able to. Maureen always tells us that they will never leave us and I and so many of us are living proof of just that.
The groups that Love House puts on to help these children are incredibly informative. They teach life skills, relationship do's and don'ts; what to expect and accept from your partner, and how to maintain a health goal and to work on it. Maureen puts them together, and tries to get the very best person to teach the children in the system, to share personal experiences from their own pasts.
So, I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you and I love you to the Love House and Maureen, because they, and her, have been such a defining part of my life. I miss being able to be part of this wonderful time of year with them.
Thank you for joining the Love Train.
Casi
Fast forwarding to the age of 24, I was fed up with life and were my bad choices had left me, missing my kids and missing being happy with myself, Loving myself. I enrolled in College. Throughout these times let’s not forget the truth about me calling Maureen every once in a while, from a different number and different address, always with bad news and the promise that one day I would finally get it. Well, that day had finally came. I graduated college! Got my girls back! Have been stable for a year now! I work Community Bridges helping others that were once in my position. I am now working as a medical assistant, and just was approved for my level one fingerprint clearance. All of this would have never happened if I didn’t have that one voice of reasoning teaching me how to love myself and know my worth. Of course, I didn’t know this at the time. Maureen has helped me in so many ways, words cannot completely say how much she is appreciated for what she does with children in foster care. Growing up in foster care I didn’t learn anything from them nor did I learn how the real world was. I had no life skills. The only thing, person that I had was Maureen and her Love House Kids Program.
Thank you so much for being the person I needed you to be in my life. I am forever grateful to you.
Dalia
The love house is an awesome program. I say that because that time that I was there, I did everything I could to prepare myself for my future. Maureen the Director helped me. With the help of Maureen, I enrolled myself in cosmetology school, and managed to graduate. I know I would have not done it without their help. I started living at the house when I was 18 yrs old, and I move out when I turned 21 yrs of age. I am very thankful to know the Love house kids Program. I appreciated that they provided a house for my son and let stay there for as long as we lived there.
I do not have the words to say that I am very thankful. Maureen always used to encourage me to get things done, so I wouldn’t be stressing about it later. The Love House provides classes for young ladies about health, beauty, and relationships. Those classes show me how valuable I am.
Thank you Love House.
Volunteer Kimberlee
We gathered gifts for families that had no beds, no blankets, and no pillows, we covered that. we gathered gifts for young mothers that are just starting out with no support, we covered that, we gathered gifts for young adults that are barely surviving on their own, that have taken on the responsibility of younger siblings, we covered that, and we gathered gifts for families that had no hope of providing anything for their children this year for Christmas, and we snuck up on them in the dead of night and we covered that. That is what Christmas is all about. I want to thank each one of you that bought a gift, wrapped a toy, or sent a little something to help out. It is such a thankless gift and they are gifts that come from the heart.
Those gifts made children and families smile, and cry. Those gifts made people believe again if just for a day that the world is good and God has blessed them. Those children were able to believe that although things were really tough for their mommies and daddies, they loved them enough to make Christmas special, and they felt loved.
That is what I am thanking you for today.
Sam
Hi, my name is Sam and I have been with Love House for the past 4 years and they have helped me with my schooling and getting my GED. They have pushed me to do my best and I thank all the supporters because it wouldn't have been possible without all of you guys to help me push to be a better person. I am not only one of the love house kids, but I am an active volunteer for the Love House and I want to thank you all for making me a better person. .
Tiffany
About three years ago, I had a wonderful family that included three little boys and a husband. Then, suddenly, around Thanksgiving time, one evening my husband did not come home from work. I received a call later that night saying that he had been arrested. I never saw him again and he is serving a lengthy prison sentence. In an instant, I was a single parent. At that time, I was running a group home for boys who had been taken from their parents due to abuse and neglect. I felt overwhelmed and scared. Christmas was fast approaching and I felt hopeless. I was financially devastated and I knew that my boys and I would not be having Christmas that year.
But, suddenly a ray of hope appeared, Love House Kids Program with Maureen Karpinski at the helm of the "Love House Kids Program" and many others who donated anonymously. This group has assisted my family the past two holiday seasons with much needed clothing, household items and especially toys for the boys. Without them we would not have had such a joyous Christmas.
Amy
My name is Amy and I am a former love house kid. The love house kids program has impacted my life in so many positive ways. When I was in group homes they provided all the gifts for our christmas's for me and my young son. Being a young single mom was difficult but with the help of Maureen and the love house kids program I was able to transition out into young adulthood.
The love house kids program provided a condo and all the needed supplies to regain custody of my son. I am now 27 years old and my son is 12 years old. I am very close to completing my degree in the social work field and am working full time. Thanks to everyone I still have the motivation to push forward with bettering my life as well as my sons.
We will forever and always be thankful for the assistance we received from the love house kids program.
Soyla-15 yrs "Thank you so much for all the wonderful and thoughtful gifts! You made my Christmas extra special this year!"
Faith-12 yrs "Wow! I couldn't believe I got an iPod for Christmas! Thank you so much for everything! Especially that iPod!"
Isabel-9 yrs "This was a great Christmas! I didn't think we'd get Christmas since we weren't home but I was so happy when we did! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Tabatha-15 yrs "I loved every single present! This truly was the best Christmas I've had in a long time! Thank you so much for thinking about me!"
Valarie-12 yrs "Thank you so much for the tablet! I was sooooo surprised and happy to get that for Christmas this year!
Brittany-15 yrs "This Christmas was the bomb! Thanks!"
Life Skills Program
Congratulations to our girls for an outstanding job on parenting in Life skills program!
We are so proud of them, their efforts and determination to make it right for their children. Thank you to all our supporters who finance these programs. You are making a difference. We will be there until we aren't needed. There is no age out with us.